Eric

Wagaman

Taylor hit the injured list earlier this week and is likely to be out until at least mid-June. The 32-year-old’s absence opens the door for journeyman Eric Wagaman to get some opportunities against left-handed starters.

Wagaman will get his first big-league taste of the 2026 season after hitting .250/.296/.378 with the Marlins in 514 plate appearances in 2025. Wagaman had hit .245/.357/.387 in 31 games with Triple-A Syracuse and St. Paul. He won’t be a major fantasy contributor, but perhaps he’ll give the Mets a decent bat against lefties for the time being.

Wagaman went unclaimed on waivers after being removed from New York’s 40-man roster last weekend. The 28-year-old will remain with the Mets as organizational depth rather than elect free agency to test the open market.

Wagaman had just been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday and now he loses his spot on the club’s 40-man roster as well as the Mets had to make room for Vidal Bruján on Sunday. It’s possible that the 28-year-old slugger could attract some interest on waivers.

Well that was a short stay for Wagaman, who heads back to Triple-A Syracuse after joining the Mets for Thursday’s contest against the Nationals. He did not make an appearance in that game. Andy Ibáñez, who was claimed off of waivers from the Athletics on Thursday, will take his spot on the Mets’ active roster.

The Mets just claimed Wagaman off waivers from Minnesota on Monday, so he has not yet played a game in the Mets’ organization. The 28-year-old hit .250/.296/.378 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in 514 plate appearances for the Marlins last season. He will be a bench bat and potentially start versus lefties for the Mets with Luis Robert Jr. (back) landing on the IL.

Wagaman augments New York’s paper-thin position player depth after being cut loose by the Twins last week. The 28-year-old is capable of handling a couple different spots across the diamond and has some over-the-fence pop. He’s more of an emergency stopgap option than a long-term project at this stage of his career.

Wagaman, who hit .250/.296/.378 in 514 plate appearances for the Marlins last year, never got a real shot with the Twins as Austin Martin cut him off at the pass. He’s hit .159/.284/.254 for Triple-A St. Paul this year in 74 plate appearances. We’re guessing he’ll clear waivers.

With Austin Martin (concussion) back on track to begin the season with the Twins, Wagaman will head to the minors. That means Kody Clemens will operate as the primary backup first baseman behind Josh Bell. Wagaman had some intriguing batted ball data during his MLB debut last season, and he can play the outfield as well, so he figures to get a chance sometime this season.

His Opening Day would seem to be in jeopardy. Martin was expected to make the Twins as a fourth outfielder starting against most or all left-handers. Eric Wagaman would be the obvious candidate to replace him as a starter against lefties, but he’s not nearly the outfield defender that Martin is.